If Joe can master a second pitch and harness his control, he has the potential to be a dominant pitcher in our league. He is a favorite to secure MIT's closer role in 2006.

2006: appeared in a staff leading 14 games, all in relief...0-3 with a 4.57 ERA over 21.2 innings of work...was excellent in relief (2 IP, 0 H, R, 0 ER, 3 K, 0 BB) vs. Wisconsin-Whitewater (3/27)...picked up the save working 1.1 innings of one hit scoreless ball in the first game of a doubleheader vs. Elms (4/1)...threw 2.2 innings (2 H, R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 K) vs. Plymouth State (4/12)...gave up no runs over 1.1 innings of relief in the first game of a conference doubleheader vs. Worcester Polytechnic (4/15)...threw two scoreless innings, giving up only one hit and striking out two vs. conference opponent Wheaton (4/18)...pitched two innings of scoreless, one hit ball vs. conference opponent Wheaton (4/18)...pitched a perfect ninth inning to close out a NEWMAC tournament win vs. WPI (4/30)...threw 2 scoreless innings (2 H, 0 K, O BB) vs. Suffolk (5/5).

2005: appeared in 14 games, all as a reliever posting a 1-2 record with a 6.14 E.R.A over 14.2 innings of work...pitched a scoreless inning vs. Southeastern (3/19)...threw two scoreless innings (2 H, BB, 2 K) vs. Salve Regina (3/22)...threw a scoreless inning vs. Fitchburg State (4/1)...did not allow a batter to reach in a scoreless frame vs. conference opponent Wheaton (4/7)...picked up his only win of the season, pitching a perfect inning of relief vs. conference opponent Coast Guard (4/9)...threw 1.1 innings of no-run ball (2 H, BB, 2 K) vs. Elms (4/10)...pitched a scoreless and hitless inning vs. Plymouth State (4/13)...did not allow a run in an inning of work vs. conference for Worcester Polytechnic (4/16)...appeared in 9 games, while starting 2 as a hitter...picked up first collegiate hit in his only at bat in the second game of a doubleheader vs.Trinity (3/21)...picked up a hit and an RBI vs. Fitchburg State (5/3).

PERSONAL: son of Ron and Amy Yurko...majoring in Aeronautics and Astronautics...born on 6/19/86...hobbies include amateur rocketry...favorite team is the Penn State Nittany Lions football squad.